Bitter disappointment as Donegal lose Ulster final after extra-time to Armagh

Armagh’s substitute may have only been on the field for two minutes but that’s all she needed to do as she slotted over the winning free to edge the Orchard County one-point in front with 90 seconds left in the match to seal her county’s stamp as Ulster champions. 

It took over 80 minutes of football, and that was almost not even enough, as Donegal, who entered the game as severe underdogs, left everything on the field in Clones as they lost out on a 0-17 to 1-13 scoreline after two periods of extra time in the Monaghan sunshine. 

Nothing separated the teams as they remained neck and neck from off. There was an underlying feeling that Donegal would eventually crack, and Armagh would find their groove, but that’s not how John McNulty’s side saw it and they could count themselves very unfortunate not to be heading back to Donegal with the Ulster cup. 

The green and gold side set up in an ultra-defensive shape as they attempted to break down Armagh’s attack and counter with pace from their own backline. 

That plan seemed to work as they squeezed Armagh into difficult positions, forcing the Orchard County to take pressure shots which resulted in a large amount of wides from Gregory McGonigle’s team. 

That attacking threat from Donegal resulted in two early points from Susanne White but Armagh’s threat player Aimee Mackin at corner-forward, who was tightly marked by Roisin Rodgers, was the key player to watch as she nailed over her county’s first three points to edge her side in front for the first time after 10 minutes. 

Armagh seemed more controlled and dangerous on the ball, building up a nice lead with the veteran Caroline O’Hanlon and Kelly Mallon all finding their range to fire over. 

Donegal kept their cool as they attempted to narrow the gap, with Amy Boyle Carr and team captain Niamh McLaughlin breaking Armagh’s defensive line to nail over to bring it to a one-point match at 0-5 to 0-4 points. 

McNulty’s side would level matters on the 25th minute with another White free, but substitute Sarah Quigley would edge her side in front in the final minute to give her side a one-point advantage at the break. 

Armagh kicked into gear at the start of the second half as they nailed over three points without reply with the pace from the Orchard County’s attack too difficult for Donegal to handle as they were caught slacking defensively as Niamh Coleman, Aoife McCoy, and the lively Mackin all finding range. 

Mackin’s withdrawal through injury seemed to be a turning point as Donegal began to up the ante on their attack, while Abigail Temple Asoko was sublime defensively, knocking away an Armagh danger. 

The introduction of Eva Gallagher was key with the young Kilcar woman finding her first point after only a minute on the field. White seemed to take inspiration from this and would land her side’s next two points, but Armagh kept their distance with Mallon and Niamh Henderson finding their range. 

And by the time Derbhla Coleman kicked her point with three minutes of normal time left, it looked like it was going to be Armagh’s day with the scoreline standing at 0-12 to 0-8. 

Then all would turn on its head. With 90 seconds left, and McNulty’s side needing a goal, the defensive plan was ripped up. It was now or never. Throughout the game the goals looked likely to come for Donegal, but time was running out. 

With McLaughlin on the attack and her side needing a green flag raised, she landed a long ball into the Armagh box. The resulting effort saw Asoko palm the ball down to the hands of Kathy Herron who fired for a goal and nailed it into the back of the net to make it a one-point game. 

But it wasn’t over. With seconds left before the buzzer, Donegal won a late free leaving it for White to nail over her sixth point and send the game to extra-time as the clock hit zero with the scoreline standing at 1-9 to 0-12 points. 

With bodies now tiring neither team were willing to give an inch as they tried to keep the opposition at bay. The first 10 minutes saw two points apiece from Donegal’s White, both from frees, and Armagh’s Henderson. 

And while Boyle Carr and substitute Lezza Cunningham nailed over two points to keep the game level after scores from Grace Ferguson and Lauren McConville, after they burst through the Donegal defense at speed to hit the ball over the black spot, Reel’s first kick of the ball was deemed the most important as she edged her side in front with over a minute left. 

Donegal had one more attack which resulted in a ‘45’, but Carr’s kick failed to find distance as the buzzer sounded to declare Armagh as champions as Donegal’s players fell to the ground in disappointment and exhaustion. 

Scorers – Donegal: Susanne White 0-8, 5fs; Kathy Herron 1-0; Amy Boyle Carr 0-2; Niamh McLaughlin, Eva Gallagher, and Lezza Cunningham 0-1 each. Armagh: Aimee Mackin 0-4, 2fs; Niamh Henderson 0-3; Kelly Mallon 0-2, Caroline O’Hanlon, Sarah Quigley, Niamh Coleman, Aoife McCoy, Dearbhla Coleman, Niamh Reel 1f, Lauren McConville, and Grace Ferguson 0-1 each. 

Donegal: Claire Friel; Shannon McLaughlin, Abigail Temple Asoko, Evelyn McGinley; Katie Dowds, Niamh Boyle, Tara Hegarty; Roisin Rodgers, Niamh Carr; Caoimhe Keon, Niamh McLaughlin, Amy Boyle Carr; Susanne White, Kathy Herron, Katie Long. Subs: Eva Gallagher for Long (43 mins); Lezza Cunningham for Carr (58 mins); Katie O’Donnell for Rodgers (58 mins); Jodie McFadden for Keon (60 mins); Niamh Carr for O’Donnell (72 mins); Roisin Rodgers for Herron (75 mins).  

Armagh: Anna Carr; Grace Ferguson, Clodagh McCambridge, Roisin Mulligan; Cait Towe, Lauren McConville, Dearbhal Coleman; Niamh Coleman, Caroline O’Hanlon; Emily Druse, Aoife McCoy, Louise Kenny; Aimee Mackin, Niamh Henderson, Kelly Mallon. Subs: Sarah Quigley for Kenny (11 mins); Maebh McCambridge for Mackin (45 mins); Corinna Doyle for Druse (50 mins); Eve Lavery for Quigley (70 mins); Niamh Reel for Towe (77 mins); Aimee Mackin for Coleman (78 mins). 

Referee: Eddie Cuthbert (Down)